What type of dog do you have? What type should I get?

B_bxmuscle

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Make sure you know the characteristics and the needs of any dog you get, but consider another shelter dog. They need homes more than those expensive bred animals you mentioned.

Also, unless you use a breeder that you know is humane and can be trusted, many of those pedigree dogs are unhealthy due to too much inbreeding or have "personality disorders" from being neglected and confined to small pens by sellers whose only interest in them is how much money can be made off them.
 

PornForPatric

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I've decided I'll be going to the Humane Society on October 1st. I'll be done with any travel and the weather will be a bit cooler, so initial outings and training won't be in the Florida heat. I don't want to have to walk the doggie on searing hot pavement or take him/her out in the yard when it is over 90 degrees.

It is so unlikely as to be almost impossible that I would go to a breeder.

I want to thank everyone who answered my initial questions. It was very helpful and it was nice to hear from so many of you about the dogs you have and have had.
 

aninnymouse

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Chows and chow mixes are common in shelters. They are very cute and cuddly looking as pups, but grow up to be independent, somewhat aloof and obstinate. If you can get through some behavioral quirks, though, there is no more loyal or adaptable companion or guard dog. They have a bit of a negative reputation, but like most dogs of that stripe, the handling and love they get dictates behavior. They do well with relatively little space and activity compared to other dogs their size. I had one for 17 years and we lived in homes with very small yards/gardens in Los Angeles, Denver, DC, NYC, Philly. She was incredibly healthy robust, traveled exceptionally well and gave us more security than any alarm system ever could. She always got one or two good daily walks, but never got manic or destroyed anything if not active for a while. They are also insanely clean and neutral smelling dogs. Like most breeds they can have hip problems and are sometimes known to have eye issues, but there will be drawbacks to any breed.

I miss my baby so much it hurts. It's been 2.5 years since she's been gone and I'm still not ready yet.

The problem is, Chows and Chow mixes do deserve their reputation for being rather mental. They are very territorial dogs, and very much one person, one family dogs. They are wonderful dogs, especially when they're younger, because there is nothing like having a Chow adopt you, because they are faithful, loyal, and loving companions. However, as they age, especially if they're not properly socialized when they're younger, the nasty sides to the Chow personality come out more.

I have to admit, they are some of the most amazingly smart and loyal dogs you will find, but you have to be careful with them, especially around new people. IMO, they're more like gigantic cats trapped in dogs' bodies, with all of the quirks of cats, and all of the loyalties. That's why you have to make sure to be an assertive owner, and let the Chow know that you are the boss of the pack. Otherwise, it will be bad.

I had a Chow mix that was very much territorial, and when other dogs were around, especially around his people, he could be vicious. He would be out for blood if another dog even so much as got attention from his people. Ditto with other people. Someone tried to make a move toward a family member, and he went ballistic. Beautiful dogs, but not for the novice owner, That's for sure.
 

Daichii

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Rotties, and German Shepards are very loving. But I'm a dog lover so whatever breed it is, as long it's tempered, instant like.

Go for what's appropriate. Your situation, home, yard etc. If you get a working breed like rottweiler/german shepards etc.. Expect tons of walking, jogging, playing. They love both physical and mental stimulation. Where ever you go they want to come with. When your gone they're sad.

Some dogs could manage on their own, but surprisingly rotties and GS are very affectionate, loving and in general extremely loyal.
 

umami_tsunami

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The problem is, Chows and Chow mixes do deserve their reputation for being rather mental. They are very territorial dogs, and very much one person, one family dogs. They are wonderful dogs, especially when they're younger, because there is nothing like having a Chow adopt you, because they are faithful, loyal, and loving companions. However, as they age, especially if they're not properly socialized when they're younger, the nasty sides to the Chow personality come out more.

I have to admit, they are some of the most amazingly smart and loyal dogs you will find, but you have to be careful with them, especially around new people. IMO, they're more like gigantic cats trapped in dogs' bodies, with all of the quirks of cats, and all of the loyalties. That's why you have to make sure to be an assertive owner, and let the Chow know that you are the boss of the pack. Otherwise, it will be bad.

I had a Chow mix that was very much territorial, and when other dogs were around, especially around his people, he could be vicious. He would be out for blood if another dog even so much as got attention from his people. Ditto with other people. Someone tried to make a move toward a family member, and he went ballistic. Beautiful dogs, but not for the novice owner, That's for sure.

Well said.
 

Redwyvre

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I adopted a cock-a-poo a couple of months ago and I really like this dog. She is wonderful. She has impeccable manners so it is very easy to live with her. She is the right size IMO at about 18 pounds. She has soft and silky non-shedding hair, floppy ears, and a big black nose. I love her attitude and it must be the cocker in her, because every now she'll strike a pose and hold it until I laugh.
 

Officer5633

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I had a Jack Russell Terrier- "Rocky", and he lasted almost 15 years before we put him down this Christmas.

Best. Dog. Breed. Ever.

Incredibly smart, funny, lots of personality, playful, great for kids, light, small, protective, highly aware, energetic, long-living healthy breeds. Yes, some can be hyper, but with good puppy school and firm training, you'll be very happy.
 

Daichii

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I had a Jack Russell Terrier- "Rocky", and he lasted almost 15 years before we put him down this Christmas.

Best. Dog. Breed. Ever.

Incredibly smart, funny, lots of personality, playful, great for kids, light, small, protective, highly aware, energetic, long-living healthy breeds. Yes, some can be hyper, but with good puppy school and firm training, you'll be very happy.

So sorry to hear that. Understand the protective and highly aware.
 

Charles Finn

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we will have our boxer puppy 3 weeks tomorrow and he is just awesome already potty trained him and he does love to bark but he is so happy to see us when we come back afer being gone a little while but he does insist on crawling into bed with us still working on that
 

midlifebear

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We have feral mutts of indeterminate breed. They found us at the beach and hung around inviting us to play with them. They don't look like anything except what all beach dogs look like. They are lanky and goofy, sort of reddish brown with black or dark highlights around their paws, mouth, ears. They look almost identical. They followed us when we walked to our car and jumped in without being invited. There they sat looking goofy and very happy. We decided the worst that could happen would be they were infested with heart worm and other parasites. Turned out they were perfectly healthy and happy. They were also full grown.

Their job is to lounge about the back yard, sleep on your feet when you read the newspapers in the morning, and beg to have their belly's scratched. Nothing too strenuous. They don't bark when in the back yard. We have an ancient farmhouse with a giant back yard fenced in native stone. It has a back gate that opens to a national forest. At least once a day we go for walks in the forest where their favorite pass time is barking at and chasing squirrels they'll never catch. And they are good at trying to engage other dogs whose owners have on leashes to play. They never venture too far. We never have to call for them when we're ready to go back to the house.

Their worst attribute is that they eat a million Euros worth of IAMBS every year.

They are just mutts. Don't look like anything. Both are females so we call them "las chicas." They don't have individual names, just "last chicas" (the girls), to which they both answer in Spanish and English. Their most endearing trick is to rush into the kitchen whenever I say "Oh, Shit!" which 90% of the time means I've drop something edible on the floor. That's their cue that there is something other than IAMBS to eat. Thy rush in and devour the mess leaving me just to mop and clean the floor. Rather handy, that.

Just mutts. No health problems. We've had them for seven years. No white hair around their noses yet. When i moved in my business partner to care for him as he spent about 1.5 years succumbing to cancer, they picked up on his illness by sleeping with him and keeping guard. Very empathetic animals.

They just adopted us one day at the beach. Must of been our Speedos. Or they sensed we needed a couple of dogs to keep us company and protect us

Go to the shelter and get a mutt. Can't go wrong. Mother Nature tends to know best and breeds out any of the weirdness their many pure bred ancestors had.
 

parchissi

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I have always had either pugs, british bull dogs, or boxers. Some how I just love all those pushed in faces - and the eyes!!!! They get to me all the time - and faithful!!! Never a harsh or unkind bark from any of them.....But aren't all dogs awesome??? I have always wanted a Puli - the Hungarian Herding Dog - a breed of dog with dread locks - but its too hot here where I live so can't have one of those. Good luck with your choice - and no matter what you decide - it will always be right for you. Cheers.
 

wallaboi

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they also use their heads as battering rams,
as the hole in my mother's back door proves.
can't go around? ...well then just go through!

Yep, total boof heads. The favourite prank of my bull mastiff bitsa when walking on the beach, was to charge me from behind, head first like a battering ram in the back of the knees, i'd go over like a skittle, then he'd come back and drool all over me...and i mean gallons of drool! Such a big, goofy, adoreable pup... I miss him so much.
 

Intrigue

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I had a Jack Russell Terrier- "Rocky", and he lasted almost 15 years before we put him down this Christmas.

Best. Dog. Breed. Ever.

Incredibly smart, funny, lots of personality, playful, great for kids, light, small, protective, highly aware, energetic, long-living healthy breeds. Yes, some can be hyper, but with good puppy school and firm training, you'll be very happy.


I miss my jack russel/min pin mix. He was my wifes ,gf at the time, dog. And the moment I met him it was like gangbusters. I found my buddy. He isn't living with us anymore, had to re-home him with a nice little girl. His dander was setting off my wifes allergies for years and we finally realized it. She just dealt with it cause she loved him. Shoot, she deals with the other dogs we have now, but I maintaint and shampoo and brush, though I need to get a better brush can't seem to find one food for her coat. But the jack/minpin was the smartest and funniest dog I've ever owned. Never needed a leash, cept when required, and he was a snuggle buddy. Loyal to a fault. Bit of a nervous pissed though, traumatic puppihood and what not.